tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47369547655383297012024-03-14T08:12:53.337+00:00Handmade HarbourHello! Come in and dip your toes in Handmade Harbour! You'll find me on the harbourside chatting about sewing, painting, and - more recently - upcycling furniture. Make yourself comfortable...
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.comBlogger400125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-4529387842950394222020-07-17T10:00:00.002+01:002020-07-17T10:00:41.009+01:00Upcycled SideboardHello there!<br />
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This is my recently upcycled sideboard. It started out its life with me as a freebie. It was dark brown, and had a top section, too, which I thought was overbearing and (being brutally honest) a little bit ugly. So I chopped it down and chucked some paint on the bottom half. It was in my living room for a good few years and served several purposes including a toy and craft cupboard for visiting grandchildren...<br />
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It was looking a bit battered, so I upcycled it again, this time painting the inside as well...<br />
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and adding blue on the drawers...<br />
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I think this will fit nicely into our new home... if we ever get to move in! This must be the most delayed house move ever! We agreed the sale in October 2019 🙄<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ironically, I've made it look a bit battered again with the sanding back, but I do love the slightly worn feel!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hope I have some house moving news for you very soon! Take care! </span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-19281802119959338752020-07-13T10:23:00.001+01:002020-07-13T10:23:46.755+01:00My tiny beach hutHello! Hope you are safe, happy and well. We are <i>still</i> waiting for news on our house move. The sellers have had a new valuation back, so we are hopefully now just waiting for paperwork to be updated to reflect this. In the meantime...<br />
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I love beach huts. This one is made from some air drying clay I found while clearing out the garage in readiness for our upcoming house move. It was in a sealed pack, several years old, and felt like it might be still usable! It was!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> made this alongside two of my grandchildren while we were still in lockdown. Nine-year-old Emily ambitiously made a Vaporion (a Pokémon character!), seen below resting its head on a rolling pin for support!</span><br />
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Three-year-old Jack just appreciated playing with the clay! We used my old art studio (a garage extension) to play in - their mum and dad are buying our house so all my stuff had been cleared out. Both parents are key workers (mum is a nurse, dad is a heating engineer) and while both children qualified for a school place in lockdown, Jack's pre-school was closed. We figured I could provide a little (mainly outdoor) childcare once Dad went back to work at the end of June. I am furloughed until the end of July.<br />
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My little beach hut kept me occupied while the kids were busy with their own creations.</div>
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And once I had a bit of spare time to myself, I started to paint it...</div>
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The blue and white (with a little red) theme was an obvious one, given everything else I have been painting! </div>
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<span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></span><br />I<span style="font-family: inherit;"> had been looking for a name for this, and decided not to go with the obvious Covid/lockdown/furlough theme, like I may do with </span><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://handmadeharbour.blogspot.com/2020/06/my-little-cottage.html" target="_blank">the little cottage I made</a> .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We loved it there, so this little hut might conjure up a few happy memories for us! And our hotel room was a self-contained kind of hut (a bit bigger than this one!), so it all feels irie!!</span></div>
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<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-60046612784661250302020-07-06T08:30:00.000+01:002020-07-06T08:30:11.041+01:00Vintage Map Wall ArtHello. Hope you are doing well.<br />
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You may have noticed I have a thing for maps as decoration. I love vintage maps (although pretty soon, won't all paper maps be vintage?) like this one...<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1574892681/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">This map</a> was sold as wrapping paper, but it's far too nice to just wrap gifts in!<br />
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I thought about sticking it to canvas, or even framing it, but I thought a metal map would be great on the wall - it could act as a memo board with magnets, and we could always stick some of our fridge magnets on it. We make a point of buying a fridge magnet from everywhere we visit - a tiny, inexpensive memento but once we can start travelling again, we will soon run out of fridge space!<br />
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I bought the sheet metal from Etsy - I was a little disappointed as it arrived scratched and very dirty, as well as rust stained. On the positive side, at least it was the right size, and I figured everything else was fixable! I made a hole in each corner - it is quite heavy so I will screw this to the wall. I measured then marked the holes, and created a dint - ready for drilling.</div>
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I cleaned it thoroughly and even sanded it. Not the best of ideas to sand it on the grass. A single blade of grass can make a real mess under a sander!!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7KrnMs_eiG4/XvOAGJI85XI/AAAAAAAAS6I/VDes_VREpTAx0TwMWiaBBvfxodBYfeKWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200624_102437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7KrnMs_eiG4/XvOAGJI85XI/AAAAAAAAS6I/VDes_VREpTAx0TwMWiaBBvfxodBYfeKWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200624_102437.jpg" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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Then it was really just a matter of gluing the map to the metal. I made sure it was straight, and used fridge magnets to help me line up the first edge.<br />
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It wasn't quite perfect but it was ok - I did work hard to eliminate air bubbles, but a few persistent small ones remained. And I managed to create a tiny tear in the north Pacific (below), taking off a fridge magnet 🙄 but I think I can probably cover that up with a magnet!<br />
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I cut holes through the paper to match the holes in the metal<br />
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Finally, I painted some more PVA on the front of the map to protect it. I'm really happy with it! I love that it has time zones on too!<br />
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The final PVA coating brought out what must be rust spots from the metal (I thought I had got rid of them!!) but I am OK with that - I think they fit in well with the vintage theme. An oil-based sealant on the metal would have avoided this! I am looking forward to putting this up in our new home!<br />
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<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-69057959737272458152020-07-01T09:28:00.001+01:002020-07-01T09:29:41.750+01:00Vintage Linen Basket - Upcycled<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hello and welcome to my latest upcycling project.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This linen basket (laundry basket) was a constant in our bathroom when I was growing up in the sixties and seventies. I remember Mum proudly mentioning that it was a Lloyd Loom, a wedding present in 1953. Fast forward several decades, and this linen basket made its way into my garage after Mum had to move into a nursing home, three years ago. She is 93 now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My sister was ready to throw it away because the inside <i>always </i>smelled of dirty laundry (think sweaty socks... ugh!). It still smelled, even after a few years in my garage! I don't think the inside had been painted since it was made!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, a jolly good wash, followed by a few coats of paint has helped matters immensely!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don't want to use it for dirty laundry, as I suspect it just hasn't got enough ventilation (hence the constant unpleasant odour) but I figured it could be useful for storage, and I really love that it has such strong memories for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I researched vintage Lloyd Loom, and I think it is more likely that it was made by a company called Sirrom, who copied the Lloyd Loom style. </span><br />
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<img class="irc_mi" data-atf="0" height="476" src="https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/images/6/68/Im193312GHK-MorrisWil.jpg" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)), -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)); background-position: 0px 0px, 10px 10px; background-size: 21px 21px; border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #1a0dab; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: middle; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" width="276" /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like Lloyd Loom furniture, it's definitely made from woven twisted brown paper (you may be able to see this in the picture below where the paint had flaked off). But Lloyd Loom furniture included a steel rod as well as twisted paper, and this linen basket is definitely not attractive to magnets! Despite being made of woven paper, it is surprisingly hard wearing - this has been in a bathroom since 1954 (apart from the three years in my garage) and I remember Dad standing on it to change a lightbulb!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UXmxqxGj7qU/Xu8DJNvgFLI/AAAAAAAASzE/tZTrYuPq4aUwWhThmdNJrUN4jbavk9J5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200619_142201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UXmxqxGj7qU/Xu8DJNvgFLI/AAAAAAAASzE/tZTrYuPq4aUwWhThmdNJrUN4jbavk9J5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200619_142201.jpg" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the picture below, you can see the remnants of a stay chain on the upper left. This had broken and subsequently been painted in, many decades ago, and I did eventually manage to prise it off with pliers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmrGusvVzgM/Xu8DBZCOBcI/AAAAAAAASy0/4LgVZpxk2rkCtj0qWKHnI5Ua2GD_1rkjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200619_113333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmrGusvVzgM/Xu8DBZCOBcI/AAAAAAAASy0/4LgVZpxk2rkCtj0qWKHnI5Ua2GD_1rkjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200619_113333.jpg" width="240" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The wood underneath the hinges had split, so I filled that in ready for new ones - the old ones had seen better days.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WcWa2gtXRWY/Xu8DDngiN3I/AAAAAAAASy8/x1r7IEFCNu8iiGdt6xNLU4x1ItMoaZ2_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200619_122342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WcWa2gtXRWY/Xu8DDngiN3I/AAAAAAAASy8/x1r7IEFCNu8iiGdt6xNLU4x1ItMoaZ2_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200619_122342.jpg" width="240" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I decided some foam and fabric would make this into a nice occasional seat. I had some of both left over from my ottoman project. I cut the foam to size, and measured up some fabric to go over the top and under the edges.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ab_u6FCoIss/XvDY__1NFNI/AAAAAAAAS2M/TmRDgTWAA7YxcouLJbnBrr_hLGiwdMSYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200622_102557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ab_u6FCoIss/XvDY__1NFNI/AAAAAAAAS2M/TmRDgTWAA7YxcouLJbnBrr_hLGiwdMSYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200622_102557.jpg" width="240" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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I<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'m no upholsterer, but this was a fairly simple project. I eased the fabric in places, and folded it in others before stapling it into place. Like I was always taught in dressmaking classes at school, I also cut away some of the bulk of the fabric at the corners.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYnygCIbaOI/XvDY_vAFacI/AAAAAAAAS2I/j_yg50CfMlYnGG1Tu_y0aQrCdQ3w1IoZACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200622_104934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYnygCIbaOI/XvDY_vAFacI/AAAAAAAAS2I/j_yg50CfMlYnGG1Tu_y0aQrCdQ3w1IoZACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200622_104934.jpg" width="240" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also used scissors to push into the corners and create a neater edge.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iofvwrmP6MU/XvDZEYtPbbI/AAAAAAAAS2U/sCOd3YRIQ84COHoq5SdabbHJ5JHxe0mKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200622_111502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iofvwrmP6MU/XvDZEYtPbbI/AAAAAAAAS2U/sCOd3YRIQ84COHoq5SdabbHJ5JHxe0mKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200622_111502.jpg" width="240" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I glued the raw edges in place with PVA, before gluing a contrasting piece of fabric in place (also using PVA) … </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2b7Rdshfac/XvDZKOYf44I/AAAAAAAAS2g/nnMF8S-dB4gn2uRHCMk7Wu14hKPvXIUfACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200622_113841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2b7Rdshfac/XvDZKOYf44I/AAAAAAAAS2g/nnMF8S-dB4gn2uRHCMk7Wu14hKPvXIUfACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200622_113841.jpg" width="240" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uzzva75E9Q/XvODKX367OI/AAAAAAAAS7E/-yKEYCs2aIASjMlucljDWlDrbEZXsUBbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200623_081940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uzzva75E9Q/XvODKX367OI/AAAAAAAAS7E/-yKEYCs2aIASjMlucljDWlDrbEZXsUBbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200623_081940.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love this vintage ads fabric - I bought it in about 1978, not having any clue what I was going to do with it. I've used some on various projects over the years (including <a href="https://handmadeharbour.blogspot.com/2012/05/tutorial-travel-sewing-kit.html" target="_blank">this sewing kit</a>). The fabric possibly says a lot about the 1970s as well as previous years - it's mainly a mixture of old adverts for smoking accoutrements and alcohol, paired with baby's prams. Maybe it's now a statement on social history! I hadn't thought about it that way before now!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9D0sEpdO_As/XvDZBuXOaVI/AAAAAAAAS2Q/y5osYE-ZgGYSHkutL9rPtMEEj_rLqRu3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200622_101911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9D0sEpdO_As/XvDZBuXOaVI/AAAAAAAAS2Q/y5osYE-ZgGYSHkutL9rPtMEEj_rLqRu3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200622_101911.jpg" width="240" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I put the new shiny brass hinges on to fix the lid in place (disappointed B&Q didn't have silver/chrome ones in stock - what is going on? A pandemic?).</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TE0i437SvA/XvXnkcRU4qI/AAAAAAAAS-s/dJHdUCauAL8zLckHUASWKITfpWjkKoY8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200626_113528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TE0i437SvA/XvXnkcRU4qI/AAAAAAAAS-s/dJHdUCauAL8zLckHUASWKITfpWjkKoY8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200626_113528.jpg" width="240" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also needed a new stay hinge, to make sure the lid didn't flop back when it was opened. I decided to go for a fabric hinge, because the previous chain hinge had damaged the wooden frame by getting caught in it. Plus, fabric was the cheapest and most environmentally-friendly option. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />So, the fabric was measured, cut, folded, ironed, daubed in PVA glue ...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5r3LOhKNv8/Xvme6fx9q4I/AAAAAAAATAQ/iTcE8k4FfLoRuebuMz1LBpxuyz3gAU3ygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200627_085243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5r3LOhKNv8/Xvme6fx9q4I/AAAAAAAATAQ/iTcE8k4FfLoRuebuMz1LBpxuyz3gAU3ygCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200627_085243.jpg" width="240" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">… and hung out to dry on a typically Great British Summer's grey day (a tiny tip if you are going to do this too: cut an inch longer than needed and don't glue the top inch - that way you won't glue the pegs or washing line up too!).</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0XzWg-VidTw/Xvmfc0VegnI/AAAAAAAATAw/e5NQqp2mke87yw438NrKozN8Wc37c_HDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200627_085457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0XzWg-VidTw/Xvmfc0VegnI/AAAAAAAATAw/e5NQqp2mke87yw438NrKozN8Wc37c_HDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200627_085457.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And there it is, complete with stay hinge stapled in place - this method makes for a surprisingly strong stay hinge and is so easy to do.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qsmFattp5po/XvoZuj0bWEI/AAAAAAAATCA/T6CJuIP-FOwni_1AFFnvEghDJN99bnBBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200629_170122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qsmFattp5po/XvoZuj0bWEI/AAAAAAAATCA/T6CJuIP-FOwni_1AFFnvEghDJN99bnBBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200629_170122.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I could have left it here, but I thought one more small detail would complete this project: a little piece of fabric at the front to act as both a focal point and a kind of handle to lift the lid. Once again, I decided to go for the option of use-only-what-I-have-already-got.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A scrap of fabric - measured, cut, folded, lined and ironed ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">… with a little wooden heart - painted red, with a vintage button sewn in place …</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Xp0P62JOtY/XvoU7TbOZrI/AAAAAAAATBQ/sPbcHuymAHsxUgoo1xhrZ7vpEyICmUSmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200629_165638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Xp0P62JOtY/XvoU7TbOZrI/AAAAAAAATBQ/sPbcHuymAHsxUgoo1xhrZ7vpEyICmUSmACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200629_165638.jpg" width="240" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">… plus a scrap of embroidery thread, a little time, and easily stapled to the lid. The heart and button match the ones on <a href="https://handmadeharbour.blogspot.com/2020/06/upcycling-old-ottoman.html" target="_blank">my ottoman</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I figure we can store blankets, cushions or throws in here - maybe even by the back door for the garden. I love bringing new life to something that's old, unwanted or unloved! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This linen basket was possibly all three but , although it's still old, I feel it will be loved and wanted for quite some time now! </span></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-53777502570380837562020-06-29T09:05:00.000+01:002020-06-29T09:05:59.179+01:00Toadstools and MushroomsHello! Hope you are happy and well!<br />
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I have a thing for decorative mushrooms and toadstools... possibly makes me a little bit weird, but I think I can live with that!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SlLIZEZroxg/Xu9-7C-rZFI/AAAAAAAAS08/6jPfo0-GjIsNJkJy77b_1HgwFyX0MczNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200621_163239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SlLIZEZroxg/Xu9-7C-rZFI/AAAAAAAAS08/6jPfo0-GjIsNJkJy77b_1HgwFyX0MczNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200621_163239.jpg" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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I bought three of these mushrooms from a chainsaw carver at a craft fair about 15 years ago. They were natural, untreated wood - I even watched him carve them! <br />
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When our very cute little would-be guide dog puppy arrived 6 years ago, he thought they had been placed in the garden especially for his own chewing delight. They suffered greatly, and were moved into the garage. They almost got thrown away as they had become so ugly, with great chunks missing.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxtCo0NtvZg/Xu8BnVESO7I/AAAAAAAASx0/uS3HEe03gas_XMmftssJdS_SSGMgLHYUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200612_140851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxtCo0NtvZg/Xu8BnVESO7I/AAAAAAAASx0/uS3HEe03gas_XMmftssJdS_SSGMgLHYUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200612_140851.jpg" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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So ugly that I didn't even get a "before" picture! I didn't think they were really salvageable.<br />
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Well, roll on furlough and lockdown (and with a house move looming) I figured some paint might just resurrect them. It was worth a try - I figured I had nothing to lose but a little paint.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ITv3E6H1VOg/Xu8Bnn7NMbI/AAAAAAAASx8/F5J_dawC48Ar36cY5QNrH932Wb_7i1bwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200612_140921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ITv3E6H1VOg/Xu8Bnn7NMbI/AAAAAAAASx8/F5J_dawC48Ar36cY5QNrH932Wb_7i1bwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200612_140921.jpg" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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The wood is surprisingly still sound, and I left the bottom part bare wood. As well as the chewed off chunks, there is a big split in each mushroom. I don't mind this - it's a reminder that this is a natural product, and if it's a problem, the split could always be put to the back. <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ghhDnEZLig0/Xu8BtVg0DAI/AAAAAAAASyM/BAWrIpypWWQwbxvSTrfM9UVCoAdzlN3RgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200619_103626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ghhDnEZLig0/Xu8BtVg0DAI/AAAAAAAASyM/BAWrIpypWWQwbxvSTrfM9UVCoAdzlN3RgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200619_103626.jpg" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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I am sorry I didn't get any photos of the process of painting these - but it was pretty simple: I painted a few layers - white, then red, then white spots, then some protective wax. I think they will have a few more years left in them now - as long as the dog can leave them alone now he's a bit older!<br />
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<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-6039316297319218982020-06-26T08:58:00.000+01:002020-06-26T08:58:25.778+01:00My Little CottageHello, and welcome! Happy Friday to you!<br />
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We should have been moving to our new house today, but yesterday our seller's solicitor discovered one of their documents was out of date. This means they need a new valuation, and it might take another couple of weeks. It is a bit scary, too, as a new valuation might mean a new (increased!!) price (they had a help-to-buy mortgage, which means the government valuer sets a price and there is no room for negotiation). <br />
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In the meantime, I've created myself a new little home.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dQTA4eUgnsw/XvWgQeBHBXI/AAAAAAAAS88/lNQJdXBpAr44C8J-i_82o1-2vLcv6raaACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200626_073650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dQTA4eUgnsw/XvWgQeBHBXI/AAAAAAAAS88/lNQJdXBpAr44C8J-i_82o1-2vLcv6raaACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200626_073650.jpg" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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Welcome to my tiny cottage!<br />
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This was a very unassuming piece of wood, about to be thrown on a wood burning stove. I looked at it and saw a cottage so of course I felt duty-bound to rescue it. <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kpvK9OvZcvY/XvRnef5IDfI/AAAAAAAAS7Q/Yzn8SdiOYOIdVt4hPfY-RACe3JSa8L62QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200530_075113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kpvK9OvZcvY/XvRnef5IDfI/AAAAAAAAS7Q/Yzn8SdiOYOIdVt4hPfY-RACe3JSa8L62QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200530_075113.jpg" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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Dave thought I was mad. But once the white paint was on, I think it did start to look a bit more cottage-like! I'm not sure Dave agreed.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQJ6BRwkZes/XvRneq4TNrI/AAAAAAAAS7U/vYVsJZghgyQ2N18Ca9JEC1opjhDeAuwHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200612_135716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQJ6BRwkZes/XvRneq4TNrI/AAAAAAAAS7U/vYVsJZghgyQ2N18Ca9JEC1opjhDeAuwHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200612_135716.jpg" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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It's amazing the difference a little paint and sandpaper can make!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6mFOdIOdmn0/XvRnesr6RtI/AAAAAAAAS7Y/xx9zERec6vofMdXNjDMbUFZ23EeSywf8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200625_085425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6mFOdIOdmn0/XvRnesr6RtI/AAAAAAAAS7Y/xx9zERec6vofMdXNjDMbUFZ23EeSywf8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200625_085425.jpg" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I went for a slightly naïve style, nothing measured, nothing planned. It was extremely therapeutic to be creating a little cottage, when my real life house was so up in the air! </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dDZZDlB82_Q/XvRnhh5IWvI/AAAAAAAAS7g/EYBRB7j_baYGZBHWqyxOP_UW0ruPvFZeACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200625_092928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dDZZDlB82_Q/XvRnhh5IWvI/AAAAAAAAS7g/EYBRB7j_baYGZBHWqyxOP_UW0ruPvFZeACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200625_092928.jpg" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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The roof is the original bark of the tree, of course. I kept getting tiny flakes of bark falling off onto the cottage walls, so I used good old PVA as a sealant. I put it on fairly thick, making sure drips didn't form. The weather here (north west England) yesterday was scorching, so it dried quite quickly.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--z2eebqMcVE/XvWWIzKUGwI/AAAAAAAAS8g/lmlUyXPSzNE3IyqAHfMfOXK8jMUvsTkEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200625_112421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--z2eebqMcVE/XvWWIzKUGwI/AAAAAAAAS8g/lmlUyXPSzNE3IyqAHfMfOXK8jMUvsTkEACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200625_112421.jpg" width="240" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I think the cottage should have a little painted sign with its name on. I'm not sure what to go with as a name, but maybe Covid, Lockdown or Furlough should feature...if you have any ideas, please share with me in the comments!</span></div>
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<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-68073074192226865492020-06-24T07:20:00.001+01:002020-06-24T07:28:54.175+01:00Jewellery Box UpcyclingHello! Hope you and yours are safe and well!<br />
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It's a bit of a stretch calling this part of my Furlough Furniture projects, but it <i>is </i>furniture, just on a very small scale!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5q0g28LMzo/XtUTy2nWURI/AAAAAAAASes/Gfq5apVXZFAYDzb1qJLhnpRseZuIJVzRgCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200422_095142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5q0g28LMzo/XtUTy2nWURI/AAAAAAAASes/Gfq5apVXZFAYDzb1qJLhnpRseZuIJVzRgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200422_095142.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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My mum bought this for me when I was 16 (in 1976). It's been on my dressing table and in continual use since then, despite me being someone who doesn't wear a lot of jewellery. The water bottle is for scale!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVhxFWJAwHw/XtUTy0SwxLI/AAAAAAAASes/Ls-iJwaaX8YhZ9TodjN3bQedrsWA4_6uwCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200422_095152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVhxFWJAwHw/XtUTy0SwxLI/AAAAAAAASes/Ls-iJwaaX8YhZ9TodjN3bQedrsWA4_6uwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200422_095152.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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It was looking very tired and a bit tatty. It's not really had any TLC since 1976!!<br />
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I decided to go for multiple colours on the drawers. They were soooo quick to paint, being so tiny!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZZmW2x5qRw/XtyaIZHmhEI/AAAAAAAASsw/2Vep8OEgerkVyM2w-N5qjxwI3k7SacXAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200601_154504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZZmW2x5qRw/XtyaIZHmhEI/AAAAAAAASsw/2Vep8OEgerkVyM2w-N5qjxwI3k7SacXAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200601_154504.jpg" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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I then decided to sand the main part of the jewellery box, aiming for a faded, natural look.<br />
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The varnish was tougher than I expected, and hand sanding wasn't quite enough. I got out my electric sander and the drawers fell apart under the strain!<br />
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It was only glued together, so it was luckily very quick to reassemble. I waxed the sanded wood and painted drawers, giving the whole thing a nice, smooth and hard wearing finish. <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5pZK73EEdGs/Xu8D2aEDFcI/AAAAAAAASzc/HF3O-E5RungpAK6tr0VMVwKseOmH-mYewCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200612_102916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5pZK73EEdGs/Xu8D2aEDFcI/AAAAAAAASzc/HF3O-E5RungpAK6tr0VMVwKseOmH-mYewCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200612_102916.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After waxing, the wooden finish came out out a bit darker than I wanted, but I think it still looks good. The dark wood will be a nice contrast to everything else I've painted, which seems to be all white, pale blue and map prints!<br />
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I'll be happy to have this grace my <a href="https://handmadeharbour.blogspot.com/2020/06/my-upcycled-dressing-table.html" target="_blank">dressing table</a> in my new house! And the dark wood of this goes really well with the natural wood finish on the dressing table.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2yw7ESUyKQ/Xu8D5VRr2KI/AAAAAAAASzk/7h81qPDoIzgHLYMx_boBd4dXlt1CYj1_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200612_103106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2yw7ESUyKQ/Xu8D5VRr2KI/AAAAAAAASzk/7h81qPDoIzgHLYMx_boBd4dXlt1CYj1_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200612_103106.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-78930282196069965102020-06-21T09:41:00.001+01:002020-06-21T09:55:09.207+01:00Upcycled BureauHello! How are you? I'm still painting furniture!<br />
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My latest upcycled project is a bureau (or writing desk) which I found at a car boot sale some years ago. It was quite tatty when I bought it and I did paint it at the time...<br />
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<span style="color: #000120; font-family: "times new roman";"></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FJXT_OfaEzA/Xt0bFJzI3fI/AAAAAAAAStc/jKqJXWNuacIvZg_5y_DJNMI6iIW5i64swCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200607_103948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FJXT_OfaEzA/Xt0bFJzI3fI/AAAAAAAAStc/jKqJXWNuacIvZg_5y_DJNMI6iIW5i64swCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200607_103948.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
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...but it was a bit of a rushed job, and I wanted to change the colour anyway to more white, less cream. It also needed a new stay hinge, as it didn't feel very secure when you used it.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jV7-ydcx5ik/Xt3nTcyAiOI/AAAAAAAASuk/gQaNxwzL8W492KdWFmpgn05Z1JqYmdFbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200602_162835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jV7-ydcx5ik/Xt3nTcyAiOI/AAAAAAAASuk/gQaNxwzL8W492KdWFmpgn05Z1JqYmdFbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200602_162835.jpg" width="240" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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I didn't actually use it much. It sat in a hallway, acting as a bit of extra storage. I knew it could be more useful than this - and better looking!</div>
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It makes a great little fold-out desk and is even big enough to use a laptop on. Because our new home will be much smaller than our current home, I think this little piece of furniture could prove quite useful - it doesn't take up much space.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ysRtWwMOXWE/Xt0bFAxoONI/AAAAAAAAStg/Roog8sYzX4A49J3o9YUjPHfmzuLK9_WpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200607_104006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ysRtWwMOXWE/Xt0bFAxoONI/AAAAAAAAStg/Roog8sYzX4A49J3o9YUjPHfmzuLK9_WpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200607_104006.jpg" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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As soon as I started painting, it became clear I would need to dig out the stain blocking paint, plus fill the holes created by the stay hinge. I'm not sure what the pink stains are (my guess would be felt pen!) but they were seeping through the painted finish...<br />
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It isn't the most well-made piece, but I feel like it was at least made with love and care.<br />
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I love that it's not been churned out in a factory, and while I've been painting this I can't help wondering about its history... was it made by a granddad for a little girl to do her homework, or a husband for his wife to write letters? In my imagination, it is always made by a male and used by a female, but maybe it was made by a woman? Or perhaps it was a young person's first foray into joinery? I may never know, of course. But it does make it more interesting than a plain old IKEA unit!<br />
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I started with what is fast becoming my signature blue, and played around with the white and blue for a while...</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I<span style="font-family: inherit;"> decided the maps might make an appearance on this piece of furniture, and the front of the bureau was the most obvious place, with a natural frame around it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I tore the map pieces into rectangles, arranged them, then glued them on with PVA. I made a mistake here though, and glued under and over the maps all at the same time. It was just too much for the map paper to handle, and unfortunately the wrinkles just didn't dry out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I decided to go with it, and sanded them down. I figured if it didn't work, then I'd need to sand it all off anyway, so at least I was making a start!</span></div>
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The resulting worn look is actually quite pleasing, if unintended! It fits in with the whole shabby chic and worn feel - the sanded back maps look great on here now.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The finishing touches were the robust stay hinge (an eBay purchase), and sanding then waxing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It works well as a pop-up desk, houses a laptop - and the laptop will stash conveniently too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hopefully all this furniture will be in its new home very soon, as we should (fingers crossed!) be moving house in a week's time!</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-14374406346382993172020-06-15T11:28:00.000+01:002020-06-15T11:28:01.182+01:00My Upcycled Dressing TableHello there! Hope you are safe and well. I'm sharing another upcycled furniture project today...<br />
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This dressing table was part of a bedroom set my parents received as a wedding gift in 1953. It has definitely seen some service and has been in constant daily use since 1953! I didn't get a before picture, but it had definitely seen better days! It was dark brown and definitely looking tatty!<br />
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I took it apart to work on and made a start on the white paint before under-painting some of the corners with blue, ready for a second (or was it third?) coat.<br />
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I decided on the top two drawers being blue... there is a lot of blue going on with these furniture projects at the moment!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t4AAjDESkMc/XtUKps99mrI/AAAAAAAASeg/0-m9Mg6wIlsB7MOamzo8SZNLG_KUqxESgCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200515_083526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t4AAjDESkMc/XtUKps99mrI/AAAAAAAASeg/0-m9Mg6wIlsB7MOamzo8SZNLG_KUqxESgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200515_083526.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And I just sanded the bottom two drawers. This was a really quick job, as the varnish was over 60 years old and quite brittle (and worn away in places). </div>
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I also sanded the frame of the mirror and the rather fancy posts which hold the mirror in place.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UFt7K2fzlb4/XtUKpiBzhZI/AAAAAAAASeg/GwrrLsujtC4fzWtYlsHFYsRD2OqROgiRwCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200521_173448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UFt7K2fzlb4/XtUKpiBzhZI/AAAAAAAASeg/GwrrLsujtC4fzWtYlsHFYsRD2OqROgiRwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200521_173448.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was quite pleased with the mix of blue, white and old wood (apparently walnut).</div>
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You may recall the dog in the above picture, especially if you used to read this blog years ago - Quentin was a guide dog puppy who failed his training on grounds of his dodgy kneecaps! He has grown into a happy, kind, gentle but still quite excitable family dog although he is <i>much</i> calmer than he used to be! He photobombed this picture!!</div>
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I sanded back some of the white finish so that some blue paint and some of the old wood showed through.</div>
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I waxed the two large wooden drawers after sanding, which gave them a lovely smooth finish and will protect them. I also waxed the paintwork - not sure how necessary that was, but it does give a lovely finish and is likely to protect the finish.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I'm really pleased with this dressing table, which of course has sentimental value (my mum used it daily for several decades before giving it to me) but is also a really well-made and sturdy piece of furniture which will now have a new lease of life - and may well last longer than I will (now there's a cheery thought!). We really can't wait to move house now. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">We decided against taking this back upstairs to the bedroom - so it's still downstairs for now, surrounded by boxes until moving day!</span><br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-61792528127085762312020-06-10T18:13:00.000+01:002020-06-10T18:16:15.042+01:00The Mediterranean MirrorWelcome! Hope you are safe, happy and well!<br />
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So, the latest in my long list of Furlough Furniture projects (upcycled pieces I've only had time to complete because of <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-extends-furlough-scheme-until-october" target="_blank">coronavirus furlough</a>!) is what I'm calling my Mediterranean Mirror.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mTHOFS8LoYg/XtfXoMYCsyI/AAAAAAAAShg/qZEwirrkqoYiI_n34lk2YCHH-CqdlIAeACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200601_151216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mTHOFS8LoYg/XtfXoMYCsyI/AAAAAAAAShg/qZEwirrkqoYiI_n34lk2YCHH-CqdlIAeACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200601_151216.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This mirror frame with little drawers was something I found at a car boot sale, probably about 7 or 8 years ago. I made a start on it at that time, but lack of time meant I then stored it in the garage and it didn't see the light of day again until recently.</div>
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It had at some point been a woodwork project for someone - it is clearly handmade and not built in a factory. I love that about it. Despite it being very solid and having great potential, the handmade drawers were a nightmare - they didn't fit properly and were made of such hard wood, it was very difficult to work on them. I very nearly gave up on them. I was ready to make drawers out of papier mache to fill the gaps!<br />
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I persevered though (one thing I did have was time!) and ended up <i>eventually</i> with three beautifully fitting and very well-sanded drawers. There is still a kind of mismatched rusticity about them, but I really quite like that.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ClYDAnMLNko/XtfX9PvUCmI/AAAAAAAASho/VgztJi8y1okRQVdxM2DBlcEv2eHNsc1rgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200601_173908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ClYDAnMLNko/XtfX9PvUCmI/AAAAAAAASho/VgztJi8y1okRQVdxM2DBlcEv2eHNsc1rgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200601_173908.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The maps were from an old world atlas: I chose maps from the Mediterranean - Crete, Malta and the Balearics all feature (and hold memories for us) as well as the gateway to the Med - the Straits of Gibraltar (which we may well one day visit, if we are ever allowed out of lockdown!).<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVsPOYYQxl4/Xti95p6XuqI/AAAAAAAASiw/9McHtgiNUv8PAQYUu582JvtTZTwRGr2-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200601_173835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVsPOYYQxl4/Xti95p6XuqI/AAAAAAAASiw/9McHtgiNUv8PAQYUu582JvtTZTwRGr2-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200601_173835.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I tore the maps to shape rather than cut them, stuck them on using PVA, varnished over them with more PVA, then waxed them for a more hardwearing finish.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVCZdfzQjK4/Xti98g-6lEI/AAAAAAAASjE/3ENmsOYgSjEVLq813pALG0EUC1cJYsogQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200604_101642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVCZdfzQjK4/Xti98g-6lEI/AAAAAAAASjE/3ENmsOYgSjEVLq813pALG0EUC1cJYsogQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200604_101642.jpg" width="240" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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I then waxed over the wood and painted finish, too - inside as well as outside. The finish is beautifully smooth, almost like glass. <br />
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I made little plaits from string for the handles, taped at each end, which I threaded through the holes which were already in the drawer fronts.<br />
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I then glued the overlap down inside with a glue gun (you can see some of the overlap inside the drawer, below). I figured a long overlap would add to the strength of the handles.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A6rFJLvYFxE/Xti95-IqLdI/AAAAAAAASi0/5R4DOY5DmZIhnjwh9TnznIYwWzPiskD6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200601_173908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A6rFJLvYFxE/Xti95-IqLdI/AAAAAAAASi0/5R4DOY5DmZIhnjwh9TnznIYwWzPiskD6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200601_173908.jpg" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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I didn't have an actual mirror to fit. I looked online and my first quote was for over £150. I found another for £52 including postage, which I was happier with. But then my daughter's partner recommended <a href="https://stgeorgeglass.co.uk/" target="_blank">St George Glass</a> in Leigh (they have a branch in Bolton, too). I paid just over £30 and collected myself. They were speedy, efficient, helpful and polite and I would definitely recommend them if you are based in north west England.<br />
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I also cut a piece of hardboard to back the mirror.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9XQAjaU6GM/XtfY4Fx4IlI/AAAAAAAASh8/S6ELomhwDQ06xA8M1HutlbYeMlKDw959gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200601_172230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9XQAjaU6GM/XtfY4Fx4IlI/AAAAAAAASh8/S6ELomhwDQ06xA8M1HutlbYeMlKDw959gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200601_172230.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fixing the mirror into the back was a lengthy, frustrating and complicated process! I reused the original fixings (above, nicely cleaned from their previously very rusty state) but the wood was so solid it was incredibly difficult to screw into. It is a <i>very</i> hard, heavy and dense wood. The fixings had been previously nailed in (you may be able to see the remnants of an old nail, just above the fixing in the picture above). I can see why they were nailed in but I now feared for my mirror glass if I got the hammer out!<br />
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I even broke the bradawl in the process of trying to make some screw holes!</div>
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The finished piece is extremely heavy, so I think it might lead onto another project - a piece of furniture to rest on so I am not relying solely on new-build walls to support it. We definitely can't risk this falling onto someone!<br />
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I love these map projects so much I can feel some more might be coming on before too long! </div>
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I am happy to report that we have now signed contracts for our new house, so the move should be imminent. Can't wait, this has been a very long time coming!</div>
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Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-13248162860531250562020-06-08T07:48:00.002+01:002020-06-08T07:48:44.219+01:00Old Schoolteacher's Desk - More Furniture UpcyclingHello - hope you are keeping well and not too fed up with social distancing and lockdown. I'm spending much of my lockdown time upcycling old furniture in readiness for a house move. Here's my latest project...<br />
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I found this old schoolteacher's desk about 8 or 9 years ago on Freecycle. At the time, I wanted a sturdy table for my sewing machine, and this was perfect for that. The drawers didn't fit properly, but I didn't really need them at the time, so they sat in a slightly damp garage for a while, which may have made the fit even worse. However, this is a really sturdy piece of solid wooden furniture and was worthy of so much more.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-emFVofrb670/XtUwksRttcI/AAAAAAAASfA/iY9bKTRVfcMaueBYVio4MUG7uSPynIb6gCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200505_113845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-emFVofrb670/XtUwksRttcI/AAAAAAAASfA/iY9bKTRVfcMaueBYVio4MUG7uSPynIb6gCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200505_113845.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Fast forward a few years, and we are now downsizing to a house half the size we are currently living in. I didn't want to get rid of this desk - I really like it - and thought it might make a lovely, if slightly quirky, dining table for our new home.<br />
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I sanded it back and realised the top had ink stains beyond what could be considered acceptable. It was going to have to be painted. The diagonal stain across the top left in the above picture was just an ink stain too far! It was much darker in real life than it seems in the photo. There were splits in the table top too, which needed filling.<br />
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I painted the table top first with a stain blocker. It's horrible stuff to paint with but it really does a good job in blocking out pretty much all kinds of stains. I lost count of how many other coats of paint - white then blue - went on.<br />
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When I was sanding the sides, I found quite a bit of graffiti, some of it carved in and would have to stay. Like I said: this is going to be quite a quirky table! I quite like that we are keeping some vintage graffiti, especially as the bits we are keeping spell out <i><b>Dave</b></i> and (a bit more bizarrely) <i><b>Japan. </b></i> Dave is my partner and his son is due to start a new job in Japan in September... kinda feels like it was meant to be!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You may have to look very closely, but it definitely says Japan!</td></tr>
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One of the drawers wasn't squared up properly, and both stuck dreadfully. I did a lot of sanding on the drawer sides, tops and bottoms, and this, along with some furniture wax, ensures they now fit and slide beautifully. They now make my heart sing, which possibly sounds overly dramatic and may just reflect the struggle I had with them!<br />
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It was a lot of work to get both drawers to this stage - one of them even fell apart at one point!!<br />
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In keeping with the quirky feel, one drawer is red inside and one is turquoise. The paint hides a multitude of felt pen marks and yet more graffiti (who managed to get inside a teacher's drawer to write their name?).</div>
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I really love the newly-rounded and well-sanded corners of these drawers. The wood finish is now lovely and smooth and it retains that old, worn feel that I like.</div>
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I also love the sanded back effect of the table top, with some of the wood grain and joins showing through. A fair bit of filler went into some of those joins, and I found a lot of sewing pins in there too!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJ3V8sLxQT4/XtUwkrDl5jI/AAAAAAAASfA/OXaoicZYRaw5_W68qyVCFkAoJKw7xINIQCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200515_083356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJ3V8sLxQT4/XtUwkrDl5jI/AAAAAAAASfA/OXaoicZYRaw5_W68qyVCFkAoJKw7xINIQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200515_083356.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The last job was waxing - the table top first, followed by the legs and sides. I'm really pleased with the effect... but this project (as projects often do) led onto another. We will need something to sit on - bench project coming up!!</div>
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For now, though, it works really well as my temporary desk. </div>
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I was really hesitant about painting the table top, but I do love the finish now. I feel that the character still shines through, and its imperfections and history are still very much a part of the finished project.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IQ6n7IRjqy0/XtfVy_6gFwI/AAAAAAAAShA/Jm8-Ek0g_-83Zdvp_chEKbbwAZ_jGTPXACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200603_164202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IQ6n7IRjqy0/XtfVy_6gFwI/AAAAAAAAShA/Jm8-Ek0g_-83Zdvp_chEKbbwAZ_jGTPXACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200603_164202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I just hope it will work as a dining table in our new home! </div>
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-43754545272025999632020-06-07T09:31:00.000+01:002020-06-07T09:31:03.382+01:00A Night in the Pub - Lockdown StyleJust a quick post today...<br />
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We couldn't get together to meet up during lockdown (and the Atlantic Ocean was between us anyway!) so we got together for a drink anyway! A night in the pub, without the pub!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n5cw8w7dyd8/XtyZP18-Y7I/AAAAAAAASsY/ByIzrS3Z6yAgxsTCtR7gQmJ-uLlK9Er5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG-20200529-WA0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n5cw8w7dyd8/XtyZP18-Y7I/AAAAAAAASsY/ByIzrS3Z6yAgxsTCtR7gQmJ-uLlK9Er5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG-20200529-WA0002.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
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I'm top left, Jane is top right (in California and drinking in the day! Why not?), and Barbara is at the bottom (only a couple of miles away from me but we weren't allowed to meet up).<br />
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Jane is the lovely lady who inspired me to update this blog with all my furniture projects, as she was asking for photos and information! I love these girls, they are both so supportive and inspirational, and our friendship goes all the way back to 1971!<br />
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Have you been meeting up virtually for drinks with friends and/or family?Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-24857213730875268082020-06-05T10:17:00.000+01:002020-06-07T15:48:01.203+01:00The Map Cupboard - Upcycled Furniture ProjectHello! Hope you are keeping safe and well in these really strange times. <br />
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The upcycled furniture project I'm showing you today took me a while, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable project and two things I had in abundance were time and maps!<br />
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This project is likely our house be known as the map cupboard - but it isn't a cupboard to store maps, rather it is now lined with maps.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RvW5dThJSP0/XtTK9EpJ3pI/AAAAAAAASdU/VRIAvemWy1As879BFObfRFCbbh54AFuAQCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200521_173404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RvW5dThJSP0/XtTK9EpJ3pI/AAAAAAAASdU/VRIAvemWy1As879BFObfRFCbbh54AFuAQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200521_173404.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map lined cupboard</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gx7MInyCgRg/XtTK9DxU6wI/AAAAAAAASdU/Iqdlpv3r1W4B5d8iw6P5Sa-dbHeFU-v0ACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200521_173345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gx7MInyCgRg/XtTK9DxU6wI/AAAAAAAASdU/Iqdlpv3r1W4B5d8iw6P5Sa-dbHeFU-v0ACPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200521_173345.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's the British Isles but not as you know it!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPy0Qdo35Kk/XtTK9Fpe-SI/AAAAAAAASdU/5ip4LIW4uLUytbnhUvMhJGSswHv_MGPmQCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200521_173433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPy0Qdo35Kk/XtTK9Fpe-SI/AAAAAAAASdU/5ip4LIW4uLUytbnhUvMhJGSswHv_MGPmQCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200521_173433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
This piece of furniture started out life as a wedding present for my parents in 1953 (along with a dressing table and wardrobe). I remember it from my childhood, as well as mum and dad gifting it to me in 1980 when I got my own first home. It is still strong and sturdy but it was looking dated as well as battle-scarred, having been in two homes with children, spanning several decades.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xuQ1AUGEl30/XtTLlHUp8TI/AAAAAAAASdg/TvbGjhirnM8j0HNVaODOUqpECzs7D27rACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200411_092415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xuQ1AUGEl30/XtTLlHUp8TI/AAAAAAAASdg/TvbGjhirnM8j0HNVaODOUqpECzs7D27rACPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200411_092415.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old and very tired</td></tr>
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I started by painting the outside white. Neat and clean, but very predictable - and while it was OK, I wasn't over the moon with it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPy0Qdo35Kk/XtTK9Fpe-SI/AAAAAAAASdU/5ip4LIW4uLUytbnhUvMhJGSswHv_MGPmQCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200521_173433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPy0Qdo35Kk/XtTK9Fpe-SI/AAAAAAAASdU/5ip4LIW4uLUytbnhUvMhJGSswHv_MGPmQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200521_173433.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit neater looking, but I couldn't help thinking something was missing</td></tr>
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I still had time on my hands, and a handy atlas of the British Isles... so I started tearing and gluing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfECoq4IO1k/XtTL50BmipI/AAAAAAAASdo/0nk50MOzRygR0rgLy7I1gHjWdH4U5DcfACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200418_144052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfECoq4IO1k/XtTL50BmipI/AAAAAAAASdo/0nk50MOzRygR0rgLy7I1gHjWdH4U5DcfACPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200418_144052.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just like being back in nursery school - lots of paper and glue!</td></tr>
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We were at the beginning of lockdown, and The Range was the only place for miles around that I could buy PVA and paint. I queued for a long time, feeling so guilty about going out for non-essential shopping that I also bought some frozen chips (fries)! (Because we all know they are essential!). The PVA felt way more essential than the chips, though...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FQNxqdiV5So/XtTMLoejJCI/AAAAAAAASdw/hayshPaQwN4UAF2yFX3stNBu3B_IM7SDwCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200417_112910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FQNxqdiV5So/XtTMLoejJCI/AAAAAAAASdw/hayshPaQwN4UAF2yFX3stNBu3B_IM7SDwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200417_112910.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The PVA meant I could make a start on the maps</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-77dsBYWcUVM/XtTMLoLetHI/AAAAAAAASdw/5Ah4C15kEfAIImvefMCj6jtwMaOWEOBhQCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200417_112849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-77dsBYWcUVM/XtTMLoLetHI/AAAAAAAASdw/5Ah4C15kEfAIImvefMCj6jtwMaOWEOBhQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200417_112849.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVMr3ccCwBQ/XtTMLlGv5fI/AAAAAAAASdw/23V8K1CWsso2jGXja4cXPhkr34SdLCaOQCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200417_131428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVMr3ccCwBQ/XtTMLlGv5fI/AAAAAAAASdw/23V8K1CWsso2jGXja4cXPhkr34SdLCaOQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200417_131428.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really enjoyed this stage, tearing up the old atlas and placing the pieces of map together</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I glued torn pieces of map in place, then glued over the top. PVA works well as a varnish, but does make the paper under it wrinkle slightly - this does go away as it dries, but always gives me a little bit of anxiety in case it doesn't. Just remember this if you are trying your own project!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">PVA's other weakness is it can become soft if wet, even after drying. It's not likely to get wet in this cupboard, but just in case, I applied a couple of layers of furniture wax afterwards. This will also make the finish more hard wearing.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mPvlKhKoU-E/XtTK9BNj_eI/AAAAAAAASdU/qPcdxEYCmpsboMSAOn9x7AHHPoek7bC6wCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200521_173415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mPvlKhKoU-E/XtTK9BNj_eI/AAAAAAAASdU/qPcdxEYCmpsboMSAOn9x7AHHPoek7bC6wCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200521_173415.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 80%; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">A road map of Warrington town centre, my home town</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i9JeommY0iY/XtTK9E7SqeI/AAAAAAAASdU/G0d7ZkdJDHYWR3D0Ploy4f--X4gHJZ2AwCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200521_173356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i9JeommY0iY/XtTK9E7SqeI/AAAAAAAASdU/G0d7ZkdJDHYWR3D0Ploy4f--X4gHJZ2AwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200521_173356.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 80%; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">You may recognise some of this</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hEMPAl5U0aY/XtTK9KQ5GeI/AAAAAAAASdU/Tw3BMk-dYnEGATnFqB1NNyos8MFNsIt4ACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200521_173335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hEMPAl5U0aY/XtTK9KQ5GeI/AAAAAAAASdU/Tw3BMk-dYnEGATnFqB1NNyos8MFNsIt4ACPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200521_173335.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 80%; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">I had to add this tiny scrap of the south east coast when I realised it had a village called California!</td></tr>
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The reference to California (above) is for Jane - my best friend from my school days in the 1970s, who now lives in California. Jane unknowingly inspired me to put these projects onto my resurrected blog, as she was so interested in what I was doing and looking for inspiration for her own furniture projects. Thank you for the idea for this, Jane!<br />
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I still felt the white finish was just a bit boring so painted the drawers pale blue (I used the white paint with some cerulean acrylic paint stirred in).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OTg373g3F9M/XtZAiOqVl4I/AAAAAAAASfk/n_Fd3T0EHLAqxKGaWVMG2kV8eI7Vg8hUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200602_091807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OTg373g3F9M/XtZAiOqVl4I/AAAAAAAASfk/n_Fd3T0EHLAqxKGaWVMG2kV8eI7Vg8hUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200602_091807.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like it better with the blue drawers. I might try sanding some of the white paintwork back a bit more</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zGWsmeqYdLk/XtZAh13Uf3I/AAAAAAAASfg/lL-IX75wSpIfyT0ng2okmm0HISI09bpFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200602_091834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zGWsmeqYdLk/XtZAh13Uf3I/AAAAAAAASfg/lL-IX75wSpIfyT0ng2okmm0HISI09bpFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200602_091834.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like the blue and white contrast</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I sanded back some of the wood just inside the cupboard doors and waxed it</td></tr>
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Overall, I think it's been a successful project in many ways. The maps were a lot of fun to put in, and I think I will be happy to have this in my new home!</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-7362580160377922032020-06-03T15:40:00.001+01:002020-06-03T15:49:42.356+01:00Upcycling an old Ottoman<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This ottoman was the first project I completed during lockdown - the first of my Furlough Furniture projects!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When my sister and I were clearing out my parents' flat, about five years ago, this was in the bedroom, piled high with magazines and books on top and unused bedding inside. I took one look at it and earmarked it for the skip. But my sister pointed out it looked sturdy and would make a good project. I love a good project, but it took five years and being furloughed from work before I found the time! This ottoman spent a long time, sadly unloved in my garage</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To be fair, you can see why it wasn't loved!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I started by stripping off the old plasticky floral top, and the thin foam underneath it. The wooden top underneath was also damaged, so I added a new ply piece, donated my by daughter's partner who (luckily for me) had a piece left over from his campervan conversion. He even cut it to size for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also ripped off all the edging around the main body - quite time consuming, as it was fastened on with what felt like a million partly-rusted nails.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I ordered some new 2" thick foam online, and rooted through my fabric stash, to find some dotty denim and a piece of bright patterned fabric.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I cut the patterned fabric into strips and made a binding from it for the edges. I soaked it in PVA to stiffen it, dried it on the washing line, and stuck it to the ottoman with my glue gun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the meantime, the body of the ottoman got several coats of paint, inside and outside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After sticking the foam to the new lid, I covered it with the dotty denim, stapling it down. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then I covered the stapled bit with a piece of dotty denim I had stiffened with PVA, folded into a neat binding and stuck it in place with a glue gun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I added two strips of the same bright fabric as a way of lifting the lid open and nailed them in place.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxObpWuGRuI/XtZMuXScshI/AAAAAAAASgQ/B04G_3axd18Yn16Fxq1UIyTKfmRfKXSdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200601_141932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxObpWuGRuI/XtZMuXScshI/AAAAAAAASgQ/B04G_3axd18Yn16Fxq1UIyTKfmRfKXSdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200601_141932.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The last bit was finishing the front - I used a small rectangle of the dotty denim in the centre (it helpfully hid a join) topped with a tiny wooden heart from my stash, painted red, with a button sewn onto it (I put a bit of felt at the back to help with this, as the heart only had one hole. With the heart glue-gunned in place, a little strip of fabric made a tag at the front for opening the ottoman up.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am really pleased with the finished result and pleased to have (eventually!) saved this still-useful piece of furniture from landfill. I'm looking forward to using this in my new house!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #000120;"></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C3QKqdWeN_g/XtTgHw6G_JI/AAAAAAAASeU/i5Cx-TduR_EXsKPFYYoYNpKoioKx9zkMwCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200427_105540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C3QKqdWeN_g/XtTgHw6G_JI/AAAAAAAASeU/i5Cx-TduR_EXsKPFYYoYNpKoioKx9zkMwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200427_105540.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-43675622998336600152020-06-02T13:16:00.001+01:002020-06-02T13:16:39.212+01:00Furlough FurnitureHello to anyone who still follows this blog, or has stumbled across it! I hope you are keeping well in these strange times.<br />
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It's clearly a long time since I blogged (as someone who was brought up as a Roman Catholic, I almost want to say: Forgive me, Father, it is five years since my last <strike>confession</strike> blog).<br />
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In case you hadn't guessed, I am no longer self-employed and I rarely have time for handmade projects. But times have changed, at least temporarily, and I'm now one of the millions in the UK who are <a href="https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/fundamentals/emp-law/employees/furlough" target="_blank">furloughed</a>.<br />
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This means I've been able to take advantage of what I can't help but see as a "gift of time". It's recently been confirmed that my furlough is likely to extend until at least 31st July, meaning I have lots of time for more projects!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6xXB7IHolo8/XtTe8ttErbI/AAAAAAAASeI/pazpWN6ugbwUxAKsQ_lLkKtTdOhtwk7OgCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200515_083506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6xXB7IHolo8/XtTe8ttErbI/AAAAAAAASeI/pazpWN6ugbwUxAKsQ_lLkKtTdOhtwk7OgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200515_083506.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the middle of a project</td></tr>
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I'm currently in the middle of moving house (to a house we agreed the sale on in late October 2019!!!) and as well as sorting and packing stuff, I've taken this opportunity to upcycle some old furniture, that I was either already using or was stuck in my garage, awaiting just such an opportunity. I am thoroughly enjoying myself!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VCGa9hORVNQ/XtTdQ7OtuPI/AAAAAAAASd8/fngXOVu5224nJJR8c7NppsvBCpgAZXmeQCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20200418_144052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VCGa9hORVNQ/XtTdQ7OtuPI/AAAAAAAASd8/fngXOVu5224nJJR8c7NppsvBCpgAZXmeQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200418_144052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I will be calling these projects my Furlough Furniture, and because some of my friends have been interested in what I am doing, I thought I would share on here too.<br />
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The first posts will be coming soon...Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-38434228337848105962015-07-15T09:15:00.001+01:002015-07-15T09:15:30.612+01:00Silly Postage ChargesI'm really sorry if you have tried to buy a digital stamp or other digital product from <a href="http://handmadeharbour.co.uk/" target="_blank">Handmade Harbour</a> in the past few days...<br />
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The website is adding postage charges onto digital products for no apparent reason. If you do buy something and it adds postage where it shouldn't (there should never be a postage charge for a digital product) I will refund the postage charge as soon as I can. You don't need to let me know, but if you are worried I've missed it then please feel free to email me: wendy@handmadeharbour.co.uk<br />
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The technical people are looking into this, and I'm hoping for a fix sooner rather than later. <br />
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Thank you so much for your patience and understanding!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-feN5D2N3HtA/VaYVES_8l6I/AAAAAAAAGpQ/TlhyG5qadNg/s1600/thank%2Byou%2Bpuppy%2Bdigital%2Bstamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-feN5D2N3HtA/VaYVES_8l6I/AAAAAAAAGpQ/TlhyG5qadNg/s320/thank%2Byou%2Bpuppy%2Bdigital%2Bstamp.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://handmadeharbour.co.uk/ourshop/prod_3155078-529-puppy-thank-you-digital-stamp.html" target="_blank">Thank you puppy digital stamp</a></div>
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(click to be taken to the page where you can buy your own puppy digital stamp!)</div>
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-76399577481514199322015-04-23T08:49:00.000+01:002015-04-23T09:30:26.314+01:00Craft Addict - Tote, T-Shirt...One of the things I've been playing around with recently is designs for totes, t-shirts and other stuff like phone covers and cushions (pillows), all via the print-on-demand site, Redbubble.<br />
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One of the things I wanted to do was designs for crafters, and here is my very first one...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vJBLh1tY5Hw/VTiV3DbqaLI/AAAAAAAAGn8/ad2pywFiLYQ/s1600/tote%2Bbag%2Bcraft%2Baddict.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vJBLh1tY5Hw/VTiV3DbqaLI/AAAAAAAAGn8/ad2pywFiLYQ/s1600/tote%2Bbag%2Bcraft%2Baddict.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
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<i><b><a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/wendymassey/works/14636762-craft-addict?p=tote-bag" target="_blank">Craft Addict Tote</a>!</b></i></div>
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The design started with a hand drawn image, embellished digitally with a button sun peeping out from little clouds. I think the rubber stamp seems to make the craft addict definition very official! The texture on the C and T comes from fabric I scanned, which I then altered digitally to create different colours, and the A is a little pincushion!</div>
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It's available directly through Redbubble, on a variety of products. I really like the <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/wendymassey/works/14636762-craft-addict?p=pouch" target="_blank">studio pouches</a> - they are available in a few sizes, and look like they will be really useful!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mln8k1bbzrw/VTiWZPbNojI/AAAAAAAAGoE/gCEM-YFFL14/s1600/pouch%2Bcraft%2Baddict.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mln8k1bbzrw/VTiWZPbNojI/AAAAAAAAGoE/gCEM-YFFL14/s1600/pouch%2Bcraft%2Baddict.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/wendymassey/works/14636762-craft-addict?p=t-shirt&style=womens" target="_blank">T-shirts</a> come in a choice of colours as well as styles...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--6FefVGSCWE/VTiWjw2bu5I/AAAAAAAAGoM/QDPCfDzFSvk/s1600/t%2Bshirt%2Bcraft%2Baddict.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--6FefVGSCWE/VTiWjw2bu5I/AAAAAAAAGoM/QDPCfDzFSvk/s1600/t%2Bshirt%2Bcraft%2Baddict.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></div>
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and there's a choice of <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/wendymassey/works/14636762-craft-addict?p=iphone-case" target="_blank">phone cases</a> too...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1jJOjgH_jI/VTiWxPOeF3I/AAAAAAAAGoU/bygnrG1_Esc/s1600/i%2Bphone%2Bcover%2Bcraft%2Baddict.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1jJOjgH_jI/VTiWxPOeF3I/AAAAAAAAGoU/bygnrG1_Esc/s1600/i%2Bphone%2Bcover%2Bcraft%2Baddict.png" height="320" width="158" /></a></div>
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It's even available as <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/wendymassey/works/14636762-craft-addict?p=photographic-print" target="_blank">wall art</a> in several different formats and sizes:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZxGDmhXAFI/VTibI3gCjPI/AAAAAAAAGog/V3olJahDJA8/s1600/print%2Bcraft%2Baddict.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZxGDmhXAFI/VTibI3gCjPI/AAAAAAAAGog/V3olJahDJA8/s1600/print%2Bcraft%2Baddict.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Just in case you're interested, <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/wendymassey/shop" target="_blank">my Redbubble shop is here</a>, and is already populated with an eclectic mix of designs, a lot of which are based on humour. I firmly believe it's a sense of humour that gets you through life, especially when the going gets a little tough!</div>
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Feel free to let me know what you think! Also, if you have any ideas based on a crafting theme (and/or humour) that you'd like to see, please do let me know.<br />
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<i><b>Edited to add:</b></i> it's also available as a <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/wendymassey/works/14637334-craft-addict-mug" target="_blank">mug</a> now, with the design on both sides of the mug. The mug is listed separately from the other designs, as it seemed the only way to get the design on both sides.Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-73142645803901709852015-03-27T20:14:00.000+00:002015-03-27T20:14:01.899+00:00LlandudnoTime off is always precious, and in the UK having time off when the sun shines seems even more precious!<br />
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This week we spent a couple of days in Llandudno. I love Llandudno's genteel Victorian splendour, rugged backdrops and long beaches. I've never spent more than a day there though and there's never seemed enough time to walk around the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Orme" target="_blank">Great Orme</a>, which I've wanted to do for a long time. There's a road which runs right the way around and happily, this time we walked it. We could not have chosen a better day for it: look at the blue of that sky...<br />
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It's four and a half miles right round the Orme, plus a bit more to take you back to your starting point. We stayed in a room in a fabulous Victorian villa just at the base of the Orme, which was very handy for our walk! If you fancy stopping in Llandudno, I can throughly recommend <a href="http://www.theviewllandudno.co.uk/" target="_blank">The View guest house</a>. As the name suggests, the view from the hotel is breathtaking...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lYspAmHKTFw/VRWxE7yMJgI/AAAAAAAAGmI/4VnSuwrfD_o/s1600/the%2Bview%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2Bview%2Bguest%2Bhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lYspAmHKTFw/VRWxE7yMJgI/AAAAAAAAGmI/4VnSuwrfD_o/s1600/the%2Bview%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2Bview%2Bguest%2Bhouse.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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You'l also find beautifully appointed rooms with lots of little luxurious extras, superb breakfast cooked <i>exactly</i> how you like it (plus a view of the sea, even though it's a basement dining room!) as well as a cold buffet: fruit, yogurts, cereals, toast and crumpets. My gluten-free vegetarian diet was no problem at all, and I certainly had plenty to choose from (including gluten-free bread served separately). I was impressed with the print-out they gave me on arrival of all the potential allergens in their foods. <br />
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The guests' lounge was a modern twist on an old idea: a well-stocked honesty bar, free tea, coffee and hot chocolate and lots of books, magazines, local information and the use of a computer with free wi-fi. The free wi-fi extended to our bedroom too (really useful if you are running a small business when even time off has to include answering emails at some point!).<br />
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We'll be returning to The View at some point, I'm sure of it.<br />
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But walking Marine Drive, the road which wraps itself around the Great Orme, was a real treat. The views were spectacular.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yMtvN4GgVuI/VRWxjYQ4MeI/AAAAAAAAGmQ/KhgbOXysHd8/s1600/beach%2Bview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yMtvN4GgVuI/VRWxjYQ4MeI/AAAAAAAAGmQ/KhgbOXysHd8/s1600/beach%2Bview.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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There were more people walking it than I expected, and there were lots of benches along the way - so if you think it might be too much of a challenge, you will be able to rest and take your time.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Szo9Fyx3B4g/VRWxrnC-42I/AAAAAAAAGmY/NX9lVo18o24/s1600/almost%2Bhalfway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Szo9Fyx3B4g/VRWxrnC-42I/AAAAAAAAGmY/NX9lVo18o24/s1600/almost%2Bhalfway.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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There's also a cafe at the halfway point (you may be able to<i> just</i> make it out in the photo above). Water, toilets and somewhere to sit for a few minutes was enough for us, but I'm sure they'd serve you with food too. It's aptly named: <i>Rest and be Thankful</i>.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EAB1EnTfeSI/VRWx-AprifI/AAAAAAAAGmg/S25MsMMg9ZM/s1600/rest%2Band%2Bbe%2Bthankful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EAB1EnTfeSI/VRWx-AprifI/AAAAAAAAGmg/S25MsMMg9ZM/s1600/rest%2Band%2Bbe%2Bthankful.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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There wasn't much traffic...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuZSaeeKct4/VRWyd6UjA-I/AAAAAAAAGmw/XkyRph8xkXc/s1600/road%2Bahead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuZSaeeKct4/VRWyd6UjA-I/AAAAAAAAGmw/XkyRph8xkXc/s1600/road%2Bahead.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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... the vintage tour bus makes its way around every couple of hours and there's the odd car and cyclist working hard on the hills. We've driven it in the past, which was beautiful, but you definitely see and appreciate much more on foot.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xfGHTUkUH9Q/VRWyMm5H-PI/AAAAAAAAGmo/k_7XDwUu-KA/s1600/vintge%2Bbus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xfGHTUkUH9Q/VRWyMm5H-PI/AAAAAAAAGmo/k_7XDwUu-KA/s1600/vintge%2Bbus.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The lighthouse on the side of the Great Orme is now decommissioned and has been converted into a B&B. We'd love to stay there one day, too.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XhchsGI4hpU/VRWysdFzkoI/AAAAAAAAGm4/FRKNqXCA-QI/s1600/lighthouse%2Bon%2Bgreat%2Borme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XhchsGI4hpU/VRWysdFzkoI/AAAAAAAAGm4/FRKNqXCA-QI/s1600/lighthouse%2Bon%2Bgreat%2Borme.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The photo below shows the lighthouse's position...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cfWtY2cVVDk/VRWy46zu1nI/AAAAAAAAGnA/f988E1bl5Xs/s1600/lighthouse%2Bon%2Bgreat%2Borme%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cfWtY2cVVDk/VRWy46zu1nI/AAAAAAAAGnA/f988E1bl5Xs/s1600/lighthouse%2Bon%2Bgreat%2Borme%2B3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The views all the way round the Orme are stunning, and especially so on such a beautiful day.<br />
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As we rounded a corner on the downhill stretch, the little Orme came into view, then the long stretch of Llandudno's main beach and the pier. The hill across the sea is the little Orme...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t7w2ixaArZM/VRWzKQ6HyoI/AAAAAAAAGnI/s19a0TmaxPk/s1600/llandudno%2Bpier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t7w2ixaArZM/VRWzKQ6HyoI/AAAAAAAAGnI/s19a0TmaxPk/s1600/llandudno%2Bpier.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Speaking of the pier, it was really nice to see handmade gifts and artwork being sold from some of the little huts on there - although it's still around, there's a definite and welcome reduction in seaside tat!<br />
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Our little Llandudno break was a really, really happy one, so I'm sharing this post in Planet Penny's <a href="http://planetpenny.co.uk/2015/03/26/happy-friday-number-12/" target="_blank">Happy Friday</a>. Pop over for a dose of happiness from other bloggers!<br />
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P.S. A quick update for regular readers: Quentin is still at the Guide Dogs' centre having his post-op care. He had some swelling on the site of one of the operation wounds (they had to realign a muscle as well as create a groove in the bone to stop the kneecap dislocating) but he is recovering well. Then it will be time for his next operation on his other leg. Poor love. He must surely be wondering where I've gone. (Do dogs wonder?)<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-11851956573680619012015-02-22T16:59:00.000+00:002015-02-22T17:59:06.293+00:00Quentin UpdateRegular readers will know that guide dog puppy Quentin has been a regular visitor to the vet for a whole lot of x-rays and CT scans and has spent much time both limping and resting. After several months, we now have a firm diagnosis...<br />
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This week he visited an orthopaedic surgeon, who has diagnosed Quentin with a grade 2 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxating_patella" target="_blank">luxating patella</a> in both back legs. Basically, his kneecaps are dislocating themselves, which is causing him to raise one of his legs until the kneecap slips back into position when he extends his leg again. He ends up walking on three legs for anything from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, sometimes several times a day.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LnobQRqFG_E/VOnEF1rEm8I/AAAAAAAAGks/J4MfGhICwME/s1600/12%2Bmonths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LnobQRqFG_E/VOnEF1rEm8I/AAAAAAAAGks/J4MfGhICwME/s1600/12%2Bmonths.jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, what this means is:<br />
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<li>Quentin will need two operations, about six weeks or so apart - one on each of his back legs. The surgeon will create a deeper groove in the bone which will hold the kneecap in position for him.</li>
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<li>He will - sadly - be withdrawn from the Guide Dogs training programme, mainly because of the time it will take for the operations and recovery, but also because he will be more prone to arthritis in his later years and guide dogs are required to walk mostly on hard surfaces.</li>
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<li>His parents will be withdrawn as breeding stock, because luxating patella is a hereditary condition.</li>
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<li>Guide Dogs will be paying for the operations and helping support his recovery within their training centre. I'm really impressed with and touched by their level of commitment to the welfare of a pup who won't ever be a guide dog.</li>
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<li>And - this part is the silver lining in the cloud - we have decided to keep him as a pet. I'm very happy about that part!</li>
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I'm really quite sad that he won't be a guide dog, because he is showing signs of being a fabulous guide! He knows <b><i>exactly</i></b> when the road is safe to cross - he often starts to make a move before I tell him to. He has safely guided me around parked cars, too. Having a mind of his own means he does sometimes try and make a decision based on where <i><b>he</b></i> wants to go (grassy areas are definitely desirable!) rather than where I want to go!<br />
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But my sadness at him not being a guide dog is balanced with the knowledge that I can continue to enjoy his company and watch him develop into a happy pet dog. <br />
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His first operation is on 5th March. He'll go in the day before, and Guide Dogs will pick him up afterwards so he can benefit from recuperating where (among other things) they'll walk him on an <a href="http://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/dog-health-hydrotherapy-how-it-works" target="_blank">underwater treadmill</a> to help rebuild his muscles and joints! I'm guessing he might have to wear one of these again for a while...<br />
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Fortunately, he didn't mind it at all last time, although he took chunks out of it from walking (and running) into walls with it on!<br />
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I'm linking up to <a href="http://www.lucyblossomcrafts.co.uk/blog/handmade-monday-5" target="_blank">Handmade Monday</a> in its new home today. I apologise to all the Handmade Mondayers for the distinct lack of handmade in this post! I know there are some of you who have been waiting to hear about Quentin, so hopefully you will forgive me!Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-32290043617184231752015-01-25T14:30:00.000+00:002015-01-25T14:30:00.211+00:00Where is Handmade Monday?If you missed last week's Handmade Monday, you'll also have missed the announcement about it being the last one on this blog.<br />
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However, all is not lost! Vicky from <a href="http://www.lucyblossomcrafts.co.uk/blog" target="_blank">Lucy Blossom</a> has kindly offered to take over the hosting of Handmade Monday - so please do pop over and join in over there.<br />
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There's a second option, too. I discovered the lovely <a href="http://planetpenny.co.uk/2015/01/22/happy-friday-no-3/" target="_blank">Happy Friday</a> on <a href="http://planetpenny.co.uk/" target="_blank">Planet Penny</a> recently. <br />
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<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-20244951507555341852015-01-18T15:00:00.000+00:002015-01-18T15:00:01.082+00:00Handmade Monday 200Hello and welcome to the 200th Handmade Monday! <br />
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I've spent quite a long time (months!) thinking how I want to go forward with my various different creative endeavours. I've been aware for such a long time that I'm doing far too much - spreading myself too thinly - and because of that I know I'm not doing any of it justice.<br />
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I've been needing to take a step back for some time now. <br />
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And I've decided to concentrate more on illustration and less on handmade, which leaves me in a slightly tricky position with Handmade Mondays!! In fact, Handmade Harbour itself may turn out to be altogether the wrong name for the direction I'm going in. Still, one decision at a time!<br />
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So I've decided that the 200th Handmade Monday is (rather sadly) going to be the last one. I'm sorry - I know this might come as a bit of a shock to some of you. </div>
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200 is a nice round number, a good place as any to end what has truly been a wonderful journey (which is all down to the fabulous Handmade Mondayers and that really amazing sense of community). It feels like it's the right time.</div>
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I was worried about where all that wonderful creativity, sharing and friendly community feeling was going to go, but I have found what I think is a lovely solution...</div>
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<a href="http://planetpenny.co.uk/" target="_blank">Planet Penny</a> has recently started a <b>Happy Fridays</b> linky party. If you haven't visited Penny's blog before, please do pop over and check it out - it's full of colour, fun, knitting and crochet (and an incredibly cute dog). And I've chatted via email with Penny, who agrees that Happy Friday could be just the place to accommodate handmade projects that have made you happy in one way or another! Of course, it could be something else altogether that's made you happy, in which case that's going to be perfectly fine too.</div>
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I may even meet you over there myself quite soon. It looks like just the sort of linky party I'd be happy to join in with. </div>
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And speaking of happy...</div>
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Quentin the guide dog puppy is now one year old! There wasn't any celebration, to be fair, but Dave came home from work and sang <i>happy birthday</i> to him, which made me smile!</div>
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Quentin will be seeing the Guide Dogs vet again later this week - I'm sure they have the scan results by now. He's still hopping around on three legs from time to time, so nothing has changed. But he's happy enough the rest of the time. </div>
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So, for the last Handmade Monday...</div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-25722112239219994152015-01-16T14:31:00.000+00:002015-01-16T14:31:14.856+00:00How to Promote a Small Online BusinessDo you sell your handmade items? Have you opened an online shop? If so, are you getting enough customers to keep you busy? This post is aimed at helping you identify ways you can increase sales.<br />
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For craft makers, moving your small business online is a really positive thing to do. It means your shop can be "open all hours" - even when you are asleep. It means that anyone, anywhere in the world, could spend money there. It means you can sell without setting foot out of your front door (how welcome is that idea on a grey, wet and windy January morning?).<br />
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If you are still thinking about dipping your toes into online selling, let me tell you it's really easy to get started: online market places like Etsy, Folksy or even good old eBay make it really easy to open a shop and connect with customers. Even having your own website and using PayPal as a payment gateway is quick and easy to do - it's accessible to anyone.<br />
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But - and this is a very big but - you then need to get people in the (virtual) door! Your web shop, without promotion, is like having a shop in a long-forgotten back street, far from anywhere. How do you get people to visit it? It's a question that comes up on a regular basis on all the craft forums. There is no magic formula to floods of customers, but there <b><i>is</i></b> quite a bit you can do.<br />
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Here are a few ideas to get you started:<br />
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<li>Write a blog. This is a great option for anyone who likes writing, taking photos and/or connecting with other people. While your online shop is the place people will go to buy things, your blog is where you can show off your new products, your personality, your methods of working and build your brand. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/" target="_blank">Blogger</a> is easy and free to use. It can also provide a doorway to your shop via links. The more entrances to your shop, the better! You'll find, if you use key words, that your blog will get listed in search engines long before your website will. Use it for promoting your goods, but not in a salesy way - many of the people who will come across it in internet searches are actively looking for what you are selling. </li>
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<li>It's often said that people buy from people and not from businesses, so get social on social media. Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest are great tools for linking with people. There's no doubt that folk do buy from other people they meet on these places (I have bought and sold on Twitter). It's important to note that filling your Twitter feed with links to your shop is very off-putting - social media isn't about spamming people with links, it's about being social. So - what can you chat about? What can you offer your followers?</li>
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<li>Get your products featured in a magazine. How? A great start would be to sign up for <a href="http://www.pressloft.com/freetrial.php?atype=brand&affID=105" target="_blank">Press Loft</a> - this is a really easy-to-use service which gets your products in front of the journalists who write the product pages in magazines. There's a 60-day free trial for any brands new to Press Loft, with no pressure to continue if it's not for you, so you can't really go wrong. Magazine features should not be confused with advertising - editorial features are always better than ads (and free!) and Press Loft is all about getting those editorial slots for you. </li>
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<li>If you have a stall at a craft fair or any other event, make sure your customers know they can shop online too. Hand out business cards like sweets! I discovered that the busier events can send online customers your way for well over a year afterwards. You can easily check if this is working by adding a "where did you find us?" question in your PayPal checkout.</li>
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<li>Read up on <a href="http://handmadeharbour.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/seo-basics.html" target="_blank">search engine optimisation</a> (SEO). Basically, SEO is about making sure your site (and your blog!) gets found and listed in search engines. The basics include key words, good customer feedback (on an independent site) and relevant links from reputable sources. Don't worry too much about SEO, just get to grips with the basics - if you write primarily for your audience/customers you may find you already have a lot of it covered. </li>
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<li>Speaking of SEO, as well as making sure you have key words in place on your website and blog, don't forget the importance of naming images! Give them all titles which make sense (your camera might label an image SAM_1553, which means nothing to a search engine. Rename it using a key word for that product). Lots of people use Google images to search for products they want to buy and labelling images means they are much more likely to find you.</li>
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<li>Get the basics in place - payment buttons, good clear photographs, contact details. People are likely to click away if they can't see an easy way to buy - or can't work out what your product is! There's no excuse not to have a "buy now" or "add to cart" button, because PayPal makes it so easy. Make sure people know how to buy, when to expect their product, and that they can contact you easily in case of problems (a land line number is preferable, but your physical address should be on there too - it's a legal requirement in the the UK. Please check the regulations in your own country). Social media is used by many for contacting businesses with questions - be as available as possible!</li>
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I hope that helps! Please feel free to add your own tips by leaving a comment.<br />
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<b>Disclosure:</b> the link to Press Loft is an affiliate link. I have used their services (more about that in another post) and wholeheartedly recommend them for getting national magazine and newspaper exposure with minimal effort.<br />
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<b>Images</b>: Please do not use the images within this post without written permission, unless it is for the purpose of linking to this page. My images are available for licensing via <a href="http://www.ibd-licensing.co.uk/" target="_blank">IBD Licensing</a>.<br />
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Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-15283636411416728942015-01-11T15:00:00.000+00:002015-01-11T15:00:01.036+00:00Handmade Monday 199Hello and welcome back to <a href="http://handmadeharbour.blogspot.co.uk/p/handmade-monday.html" target="_blank">Handmade Monday!</a><br />
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My daughter and granddaughter returned home to London yesterday, so the house is now much quieter and much tidier! But I'm missing the toddler chatter and watching mini masterpieces emerge...<br />
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My fridge is nowhere near big enough for all the paintings!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6U0dSSvQrkA/VLI_2w9hT3I/AAAAAAAAGiI/YwmxZztqbpo/s1600/nicole%2Bpainting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6U0dSSvQrkA/VLI_2w9hT3I/AAAAAAAAGiI/YwmxZztqbpo/s1600/nicole%2Bpainting.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></div>
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On a more serious note, the new VAT laws are now in place and have (as suspected) meant many small digital businesses have already closed their doors. I haven't closed Handmade Harbour yet, but I probably will do. I don't sell much within the EU, but I now need to consider how I will handle a £1.25 download sale to avoid breaking the law! <br />
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With this in mind, please do <a href="https://www.change.org/p/vince-cable-mp-uphold-the-vat-exemption-threshold-for-businesses-supplying-digital-products/u/9209101?tk=Q5sTUXUTy6MXQTYJ0pQ7ySNhyQjoo2WBbDH5-uXjOMc&utm_source=petition_update&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=petition_message_notice" target="_blank">read this</a> and follow the link to sign the new EU petition (even if you signed the previous UK one). Even if you don't sell (or buy) digital goods, the plan is that <b>a similar law will apply to physical goods from next year</b> - so it's important to support this. I won't go into all the reasons tiny businesses can't comply (suffice to say: could <i>you</i> keep up to date with 72 taxes in 28 different countries?) but please do read the link if you have a small business!<br />
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You can also join this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/DigitalVAT2015/" target="_blank">Facebook group</a> to keep updated, ask questions and join in the discussion.<br />
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I know some of you may be awaiting a Quentin update... he did indeed need to go for a CT scan - we are still waiting for the results from that. He's still doing the walking on three legs thing - not all the time, just intermittently. It's usually his right hind leg but not always. <br />
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He is starting to calm his puppy excitement down a little but it's very gradual! One of the things we are trying to encourage is calm evenings - so if we are watching TV he will lie down next to us. It takes quite a while, but most evenings he does <i>eventually</i> manage it! <br />
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It's over to you now for Handmade Monday...<br />
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-90372060170260706572015-01-04T15:29:00.001+00:002015-01-04T15:29:34.032+00:00Normal service will be resumed...Handmade Monday will be back next week! <br />
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This week, Christmas festivities are being extended a little in our household because my middle daughter and my youngest granddaughter are visiting from London.<br />
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I hope you've all had a great time over Christmas and New Year and are now starting to get back to some kind of normality - hope to join you there sometime soon!Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11383618809187116026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4736954765538329701.post-78859875328211993142015-01-01T14:02:00.002+00:002015-01-01T14:02:18.991+00:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wishing you much joy, happiness and good health in 2015. <br />
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